“The Mannes School of Music in New York City is leap-frogging headlong into modern times … [with] a historic revitalization of its core curriculum,” writes Karen Peterson in the September issue of Strings magazine. “This fall, Mannes says goodbye to its Upper West Side digs for a move to the multicultural, cross-generational energy of Greenwich Village…. ‘New music will become a priority,’ [says Mannes dean Richard] Kessler…. Mannes students will no longer be required to spend four years studying theory, ear training, and dictation…. As early as next spring, the requirement will be reduced to three years for those entering the school’s new degree track, a five-year hybrid bachelor of music/master of arts administration…. Kessler is also bringing new faculty on board … among them … composer Lowell Liebermann … violinist Miranda Cuckson, cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, pianist Jeremy Denk, composer Missy Mazzoli, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra concertmaster David Chan … New York Philharmonic principal violist Cynthia Phelps, and composer David Little…. Kessler suggests that Mannes is essentially going back to the future by offering a modern interpretation of how Mozart, Bach, and their peers lived and worked. ‘They were musicians, teachers, composers, and businessmen—Bach had to find money for commissions. They had to do it all,’ Kessler says.”
Posted August 5, 2015
